Meet Pete Sisoy and his family. In the 1920s his Russian immigrant father moved his young family from the crowds of Hamtramck to the wide-open country near the intersection of Southfield Rd. and Warren Ave.–the village of Warrendale under the watchful eye of Henry Ford–whom a young Pete met several times.

Their large home held three generations at one time. Pete and his wife of 68 years, Lorene, are joined by two daughters and two granddaughters as they share their memories of the house, the neighborhood and Detroit–from the early days of howling wolves, burning crops, orchards and swimming holes through WWII, streetcars to the Grande Ballroom and sporting white gloves at Hudsons.

Stills from the shoot!

The Sisoy Family with host Thomas J. Reed, Jr.

Lisa shares her memories of their zip-line from the pear tree to the house.

The Sisoys always love a party!

Pete discusses his dad and the “red garage,” built originally as a WWII bunk house for workers coming to Detroit.

Hand-made tools from Pete’s father, a Russian immigrant.

Pete and a buddy in front of the house.

Circa 1930

“Hudsons was a wonderland!”

Leslie shares her story of their childhood rabbits from Eastern Market that always “ran away,” according to her grandfather.